Tapanappa Vineyard Tiers Vineyard 1.5m Chardonnay 2024

The use of 1.5m informs the drinker that a part of the vineyard has been close-planted – a 1.5 metre spacing between rows of vines – a fact that can excite some because of the suggestion of higher quality, amongst other more viticultural-related things. A tightly coiled, extra youthful Chardonnay expression emerges in ’24, a cool year, with a taut, almost bracing level of acidity discernible now (for those interested, total acid is 7.58 grams per litre). But, it’s early days. Emerging citrus, stone fruits, Meyer lemon, honeydew melon, hazelnut, spice and something I have noted as “smokey honeycomb” – it’s a good thing – fill the palate. This is a complex wine at the start of its life which means the wine’s textural component is building. Everything is in place but consider giving the wine more time alone before broaching. It will benefit enormously from it.